SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 1981
MORE JOIN APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME
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THE PROMOTION OF APPRENTICE TRAINING IN HONG KONG WILL TAKE A FURTHER STEP FORWARD NEXT MONTH (SEPTEMBER) WHEN ANOTHER TRADE IS INCLUDED IN THE COMPULSORY APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME.
DISCLOSING THIS TODAY (SUNDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID THE GOVERNOR, ON THE ADVICE OF THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL, HAD SPECIFIED +REPAIRMAN (ELECTRONICS MANUFACTURING)+ AS A DESIGNATED TRADE UNDER THE APPRENTICESHIP ORDINANCE WITH EFFECT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1981. THE APPRENTICESHIP PERIOD IS THREE YEARS.
THE LATEST INCLUSION WILL BRING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DESIGNATED TRADES TO 38.
IT IS GOVERNMENT POLICY TO PROMOTE APPRENTICE TRAINING IN TRADES VITAL TO HONG KONG'S INDUSTRIES AND TO ENSURE AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF SKILLED MANPOWER, HE NOTED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE ORDINANCE AFFECTED THE EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING OF YOUNG PEOPLE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 14 AND 18.
IT STIPULATES THAT AN EMPLOYER CAN ONLY ENGAGE A YOUNG PERSON IN A DESIGNATED TRADE IF THE YOUNG PERSON HAS ENTERED INTO A CONTRACT OF APPRENTICESHIP REGISTERED WITH THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT OR HAS COMPLETED AN APPRENTICESHIP AND HOLDS A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION IN THAT TRADE. BUT THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR HAS POWER TO GRANT EXEMPTION IN CERTAIN CASES.
THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED EMPLOYERS ENGAGED IN THE NEWLY-DESIGNATED TRADE TO COMPLY WITH THE ORDINANCE BY ENTERING INTO CONTRACTS OF APPRENTICESHIP WITH THEIR YOUNG WORKERS. LETTERS EXPLAINING THE TRADE AND THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE ORDINANCE WOULD BE SENT TO ALL EMPLOYERS CONCERNED.
A CONTRACT OF APPRENTICESHIP REGISTERED WITH THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, HE ADDED, WOULD ENSURE THAT THE APPRENTICE WOULD BE GIVEN ADEQUATE TRAINING, INCLUDING ATTENDANCE AT HIS EMPLOYER'S EXPENSE IN TECHNICAL COURSE RELATED TO HIS TRADE IN A GOVERNMENT TECHNICAL INSTITUTE. THE CONTRACT WOULD ALSO HELP PROTECT THE EMPLOYER FROM LOSING HIS APPRENTICE TO ANOTHER EMPLOYER.
EMPLOYERS AND YOUNG PEOPLE ENGAGED IN THE NEWLY-DESIGNATED TRADE WHO HAVE ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE ORDINANCE MIGHT CONTACT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT'S APPRENTICESHIP DIVISION AT THE FOLLOWING OFFICE :
/(1) NEW RODNEY